Well! We really made THAT family feel welcome and safe in Salem, didn't we! Thanks to the police for trying to make up for the nasty attitude of "the guy in the red pickup". Wakefield residents will now believe that Salem is "too dangerous" to visit. Thanks a bunch!

Yes, it's annoying when folks don't follow well-posted traffic rules. (Except, of course, when we do it ourselves!) But following someone down the street, cutting them off to yell at them, following them -- does that make it any more likely that YOU won't experience the same thing in the future? Unlikely!

If we were ALL a little more polite -- smiled a bit more, allowed folks to merge in front of us, recognize that some of those who "do the wrong thing" are visitors who are following tourist signs and not road signs -- we'd be an even better tourist destination!

We don't need private citizens trying to do the Police's job. Red pickup driver was completely out of line. And if the fact that a tourist happened to get in the wrong lane gets someone so mad, then they really need professional help. Traffic and tourists get overwhelming for the month of October but try to remember that these people are spending money and supporting our shops and restaurants.

I guess all traffic rules are out the window if you might spend a few bucks in Salem huh? Why obey traffic lanes, crosswalks, lights and signs....do whatever you want. Maybe if the police were enforcing the traffic laws residents would not get cut off 14 times a day on thier way to work by our benevolent visitors! Last I heard, traffic signs are the same no matter where you are...pay attention to the signs tourist!

The sequence isn't clear. So he pulled in front of the car twice, once obviously from the Left Turn Only lane at the new Congress Street traffic lights(!) and once blocking the street at the "Friendship" (lol), where he got out and approached "threateningly" (but without the hook) and got maced. AND then DROVE (maced!) behind the (fleeing) car up and down streets and to the police station. Busy guy. It sounds like he went "looking" for the hook (which was in plain view, after all!) AFTER he got maced. So she was on the phone using the defensive buzzwords you are taught in firearms permitting class, while he was getting maced and then going to the "back of his truck", while they drove off. And he still followed.

Well, the mace non-lethally ended the confrontation. Rage can happen anywhere. Let the police enforce the traffic laws. Sounds like everyone used due diligence (even the fisherman eventually) and cooler heads prevailed. Please, everyone, give everyone an extra break this busy holiday season. I hope you all had a good summer, despite the bad economy.

I am surprised this does not happen more often. It is painful to drive through Salem - lots of traffic and lights, poorly planned road, bad signage and lots of tourists who are legitimately confused and lost.

Oh, surprise, surprise, a local blames a tourist for bad driving. I wrote a letter to the Mayor about that intersection a couple years ago. The lanes were finally repainted, but it STILL can look like three lanes. Locals do it as much as tourists. I almost get hit by someone creating their own middle lane every time I go through that intersection. At least the tourists have the excuse for not knowing better. What's that guy's excuse for being violent and crazy?

Given the terrible signs in Salem, it's no surprise. Every drive around town has me nervous I will be part of an accident. I HATE it!!!! They could make things so much easier if they updated the signs in the intersections!! Not to mention, trying not to hit a pedestrian not in a cross walk while trying to avoid vehicles not in the right lane! So many people "not" doing the right thing!

Did the pickup truck driver have a beard?

A few weeks ago, I was waiting to drive straight onto New Derby, by Margin Street. There was a red truck next to me in the right turn lane. When we got to green light, we both continued going straight, I thought maybe he would turn right down Washington. Nope, he sped up and cut me off, no signals or anything. Wonder if it was the same guy... ;-)

Down town Salem is a nightmare, right on red without stopping and unpainted cross walks, and on and on I could go. Not very welcoming for the tourists that spend good money here. Come on lets get those walking beat cops off their cell phones and pay more attention to the traffic and the walking public.

I've said it on here before and i'll say it again...people are ignorant, rude, and entitled! To the tourist that finds themselves in a "right turn only lane" ...take a right, drive around the block and try again! To the local that is too important to get in a long traffic line...don't play dumb and try to cut everyone off at the last minute. To the pedestrians...cross together
...no need to wait for others to be half way across the street to start...single file is not necessary. Also, if you are not crossing..please don't stand at the crosswalk! And lastly...to the real estate agent that sold me a house in salem...thanks for taking 10 years off my life due to traffic stupidity and stress!

Maybe, just maybe, if the Salem police had more street present this would not happen . Hint place a officer at down town intersections for one week ,to issue tickets to cars blocking the intersections ,and that problem will go away . NYC ticket for blocking intersections is $200 . Issue a few of those and we won't need the CPA !